KISSNATION: NYC's Tribute to KISS
Gig Seeker Pro

KISSNATION: NYC's Tribute to KISS

Band Rock Metal

Calendar

This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

Press


"Tribute Band Offers Kiss of Different Eras."

The following is an excerpt of a KISSNATION article from Chris Welch of GO Magazine. To see the whole article including others, please log onto kissnation.com
________________

Tribute Band Offers Kiss of Different Eras.
By Chris Welch
Times Entertainment Writer
chrisw@htimes.com

Want to “rock and roll all night and party every day” with Kiss?

Well, the legendary rockers won’t make it Friday night, but you’ll swear it’s the real group when you see the Kiss nation tribute band on stage at the Whistle Stop Festival and BBQ Cook-off.

Based out of New York City, the same city that brought the world the real Kiss, Kiss Nation has been on the tribute scene for nearly a decade with near-identical costumes, make-up and sound. The band has worked with the Kiss camp on many projects, including Kiss toy lines and promotions, the Kiss box set, Simmons’ autobiography and Tongue magazine (published by Simmons.) The guys have also worked closely with Silvertone guitars in promoting it’s Paul Stanley guitar line.

VH1 filmed a documentary on the band entitled “Mock Rock” in which the VH1 cameras followed the band in and out of the Kiss world, leading up to the band playing a show for Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Tommy Thayer and Doc McGhee.

“VH1 shot the documentary two years ago and we were the only Kiss tribute band used. It was neat to have the real band come to our show.” States band member, Carlos Espada.

Kiss Nation is much different from the 100-odd Kiss tribute bands around the country. “We do a no-holds barred show of hits from the ‘70’s, ‘80’s and ‘90’s ans also use the FOX character.” Said Espada. Peter Criss, the Cat character, left Kiss in 1980 and was replaced by Eric Carr as The Fox.

“We’re basically the poor man’s Kiss show. Some people can’t afford to go see a real Kiss show, so we give them a Kiss show and do everything that goes on.”
- GO Magazine


"Cover The World"

The following is an excerpt of a KISSNATION review from Mike Pizzuta of Aquarian Magazine. To see the whole review including others, please log onto kissnation.com
________________

KISS: One of the most theatrical rock bands of all time, as well as great songwriters. Tons of devoted Kiss fans seek tribute bands to experience as close to the real deal as possible. KISSNATION are a killer Kiss tribute act that will make you “love it loud”! I recently caught them at the Wreck Room in Walling, NJ.

The stage show is just as important as the music when it comes to KISSNATION, and these guys tore it up. They began the show with a huge pyrotechnic blast from two flashpots. Each member was wearing the platform shoes, costume, and proper face make-up of their respective Kiss character.

One of the most popular KISS members is Gene Simmons. Carlos does an excellent impression of the Demon. During the performance he breathed fire, spit up blookd, and shot flames from his bass. He sung Gene-style vocals and he even pulled out the “axe bass” for “God of Thunder.” He played accurately, as heard in the moving bass lines in songs like “Love Gun,” and “Detroit Rock City.”

Appearing as the Space Ace was Ruby. He, Carlos and Paul synchronized a lot of cool moves on rockin’ tunes like “Deuce.” All through the show, Ruby jammed out some burning Ace Frehley leads on his Les Paul. It was literally smoking (with pyrotechnic assistance) when he sung lead vocals on “Rip it Out”.

A highlight for the explosive show was when they had about six girls come onto the stage and dance for the tune “Take It Off”.

Find out more about KISSNATION at www.KissNation.com

My email: MikeZuteCTW@yahoo.com
- Aquarian Magazine


"KISSNATION In Their Midst"

The following is a press excerpt of the Puerto Rican magazine, PRIMERA HORA. To see the whole review including others, please log onto kissnation.com
_________________________

KISSNATION with a Boricua (in their midst)

With almost 30 years of musical history it is not just by chance that anywhere between 30-50 bands are dedicated to pay tribute to the world famous Hard Rock band KISS! And tonight at the Hard Rock Cafe in Old San Juan, livers of the legendary quartet will have the opportunity to enjoy KISSNATION a band that specializes in the music and which continues to enjoy an army of followers worldwide.

Carlos Espada, born in Ponce but raised in N.Y has had ties to KISS some he was 4 years old, when he happened to have seen the original band on the small screen (TV)

"The first time that I saw them was on a TV program. I thought that they were superheroes, but my brother made it clear that it was about a rock band", said Espada, who has consulted the Art Asylum design team on two lines of KISS toys for Gene Simmons (whom he symbolizes) Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss, the original band members.

"We were invited to participate in the second KISS Expo. It's all a celebration for a group that's been active in the music industry for almost 30 years. It is difficult for us to concentrate on any particular KISS era since they have so many great songs, but we will try to please everyone". Other then Espada, KISSNATION is comprised of Paulie Z, Joey Cassada and Ruby Rinekso.

The Expo will be in full gala with presence of Eric Singer, KISS' bonafide drummer, who will be working with Alice Cooper.

"This is my first time in Puerto Rico and I am anxious to see the world renown Puerto Rican women."

"At these events fans get the chance to buy and sell KISS related merchandize and paraphernalia. Plus they get to show some love to a group that has touched so many generation" declared Singer to Primera Hora from Los Angeles.

The musician confessed that even though he was part of KISS, at one time he owned an extensive collection;

"I had to dispose of it. I didn't have any more room at home; I had so many items, especially from the seventies, that I had to get out of it. I kept a few of my items like my instruments. I'll share with the fans is I hope that everyone brings their collectibles and memorabilia to be autographed". - Primera Hora, Puerto Rico


"TRIBUTE TO KISS AT THE HARD ROCK CAFE"

The following is a press excerpt of the Puerto Rican magazine, EL NUEVO DIA. To see the whole review including others, please log onto kissnation.com
_________________________

TRIBUTE TO KISS AT THE HARD ROCK CAFE

"Puerto Rico KISS Expo II-A Tribute to KISS" The event, which will pay homage to the famous North American Rock band, will take place tomorrow at the Hard Rock Cafe with the tribute band KISSNATION.

With a spectacular show that will run for 2 hrs, this band from New York City will play KISS Classics dressed in costumes and make-up, that characterized the authors of "Rock n Roll all Nite" in the 70's and early 80's.

"This is our first time here and we want the fans to see what we've been doing together. They'll see a pretty complete show with over 20 songs," explained the Puerto Rican born Carlos Espada yesterday on the phone.

"I was born in Puerto Rico, but we moved to New York before my first birthday" added the young man who is the Gene Simmons persona of the group.

KISSNATION also will bring together Paulie Z, Ruby Rinekso and Joey Cassata.

This group is so fanatical about KISS that they've created a line of KISS related toys and assorted merchandize in a joint venture with ART ASYLUM studios. (Correction, Carlos Espada works for Art Asylum. The toy company that created the KISS toys KISS "N" THE BOX & KISS Minimates)

These products. Which include action figures and comic books (by Dark Horse Comics) could be available on the island (Puerto Rico) as soon as this summer, According to Espada.

The young musician who knows he members of the original group personally took part in promoting Gene Simmons biography "KISS & MAKE-UP."

Eric Singer Present On a prominent note, Eric Singer the actual drummer for KISS, will be participating in tomorrow's activities and will meet and greet with the fans. In addition several collectors from the U.S will be flying in to sell their collectibles. - El Nuevo Dia


"Make Up In The Mirror"

The following is an excerpt of a KISSNATION article from Tara Shyrock of KISS Magazine. To see the whole article including others, please log onto kissnation.com
________________

New York City-based tribute kissnation has played throughout the United States. When they played The Whiskey on Sunset Strip, they had two guests waiting for them backstage after their scheduled set: Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. The founding members of KISS came out of hiding to surprise the band just in time for the encores. Kissnation has had a great deal of success because of their musical talent and their no-holds barred approach to their live shows. “When we started doing this, we asked ourselves, ‘how are we going to separate ourselves in a land of clones, when we are clones ourselves?’” recalled Kissnation lead guitarist, Ruby Rinekso. They will play any song from any era, without letting the costumes determine the setlist.

“What people tend to forget is that KISS has been around for thirty years, playing music throughout the MTV glam 80’s abd the grunge ‘90’s,” said Rinekso, “Kissnation doesn’t forget that. We play music from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. Make-up era or non-makeup era. There are no rules”


- KISS Magazine


Discography

Still working on that hot first release.

Photos

Bio

"There's only ONE NATION,... that's KISSNATION!"
-Paul Stanley of KISS, 1996 MTV Awards

"These guys have the right spirit and the right detail. I flew in from Vegas just for this."
Paul Stanley of KISS

"This was great!"
Gene Simmons of KISS

"I haven't seen many of the current contenders lately, but I'd have to say that KISSNATION will blow the doors off the house."
Tommy Thayer of KISS

"...KISSNATION are a very curious prospect,..."
The Village Voice, NYC

"See KISSNATION, because It's more convincing seeing young guys playing young KISS, than old KISS playing young KISS"
The Aquarian, NJ

"We watched intently as the band rocked out and spit blood. Fans banged their heads and lip synched the words to every song..."
Shout Magazine, NYC

****************************************

KISSNATION is one of the world's most renowned KISS tribute bands.

We have worked with the KISS camp on many projects, including KISS toy lines and promotions, such as the KISS Box Set, Gene Simmons autobiography & Tongue magazine, as well as working closely with Silvertone guitars in promoting their Paul Stanley guitar line.

VH1 filmed a documentary on the band entitled Mock Rock in which the VH1 cameras followed the band in and out of the KISS world, leading up to the band playing a show for Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Tommy Thayer & Doc McGhee.

KISSNATION is the perfect band for fundraisers, promotions, film & TV extras, private parties and live concerts.

How do we DIFFER from other KISS tribute bands?

We appreciate the fact that there are plenty of KISS tribute acts, so we choose to separate ourselves by wearing costumes that aren't so typical and are different from any of the usual tribute bands out there, performing KISS music of not only the 70's but also the 80's and 90's. We perform any KISS song of any era, regardless if it's from the "Make-up" or "Non Make-up" years.

It's our very own way of celebrating the band we love, and sharing and performing the music with KISS fans all over,.. who like us,... are one big KISSNATION.

Welcome,.. and thank you for visiting us online,....